Transformable vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a transformable vehicle body having a first body configuration and a second body configuration. The first body configuration resembles a wagon-style vehicle that includes a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area. The second body configuration resembles a pickup truck that includes a contracted enclosed passenger space and an open cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passenger space.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/437,919 filed Jan. 4, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a transformable vehicle that can betransformed to provide a number of different body configurations.

2. Background Art

Historically, vehicles have been designed to accommodate specific typesof uses. For example, a work vehicle might be designed as a truck with alarge flatbed, easily accessible from outside the vehicle, andconfigured to accommodate large or heavy payloads. Similarly, a familyvehicle might be designed as a minivan, large enough to carry more than5 passengers, yet still able to accommodate a reasonable amount ofcargo. Another type of vehicle, the sedan, might be designed withelegant styling, and configured to provide quiet and comfort to thevehicle occupants.

Recently, a new breed of vehicle, the sport utility vehicle (SUV), hasemerged, in part, to provide greater driving freedom. For example, someSUV's have off-road capability and a large cargo area that may make themuseful as work vehicles. Similarly, the passenger compartment of manySUV's is large enough to comfortably accommodate five or morepassengers. In addition, some SUV's today are elegantly designed, andare configured to provide the quiet and comfort previously only found inhigh-end sedans.

Despite their attempt to meet the disparate needs of many differentuses, an SUV may not provide some users with sufficient flexibility. Forexample, although an SUV may include a large cargo area, it may not beas easily accessible as the cargo area of a flatbed truck. Hence, therestill exists a need for a vehicle that can carry the passengers andcargo of a family vehicle, provide the large, easily accessible cargoarea of an open flatbed truck, and yet still provide the styling of anelegant sedan.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention provides a flexible passenger vehiclebody capable of being transformed into at least two different classes ofvehicle styles. The vehicle body comprises a body shell having front andrear openings and at least one pair of transversely opposed dooropenings. A front panel is provided for closing the body shell frontopening, and a pair of door panels is provided for closing the bodyshell door openings. A roof panel includes a fixed portion and movableportion. The movable portion has attached thereto a pair of transverselyopposed rear pillars extending generally downward there-from to engagethe body shell. A back panel is coupled to the roof panel movableportion and extends between the rear pillars. A pair of opposingretractable rear side panels is affixed to the body shell behind thedoor panels. A tailgate is affixed to the body shell, and the tailgate,the retractable rear side panels, the roof panel movable portion and theback panel collectively enclose the body shell rear opening when thevehicle is in a first body configuration. The front panel, doors, roofpanel, back panel, tailgate and retractable rear side panels define afully enclosed passenger space and cargo area within the body shell inthe first body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in afirst position. The front panel, doors, roof panel and back panel definea contracted enclosed passenger space in a second body configurationwhen the roof panel movable portion is in a second position. Thiscreates an open cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passengerspace.

The invention further provides a vehicle having a transformable vehiclebody that includes first and second opposing door panels. The vehiclebody also includes a roof panel, including a fixed portion and a movableportion, a back panel attached to the roof panel movable portion, andfirst and second retractable rear side panels disposed rearward the doorpanels. The transformable vehicle body has at least a first bodyconfiguration and a second body configuration. The first bodyconfiguration includes the retractable rear side panels and the roofpanel movable portion each in an extended position. The first bodyconfiguration at least partially defines a first passenger compartment.The second body configuration includes the retractable rear side panelsand the roof panel movable portion each in a retracted position. Thesecond body configuration at least partially defines a second passengercompartment and an open cargo area. The second passenger compartment issmaller than the first passenger compartment, and is at least partiallyseparated from the open cargo area by the back panel.

The invention also provides a method of transforming a vehicle body froma first body configuration to at least one other body configuration. Thefirst body configuration includes a fully enclosed passenger space andcargo area, and a second body configuration includes a contractedenclosed passenger space and an open cargo area. The method comprisesretracting first and second rear side portions, and moving a seat from afirst position for seating a vehicle occupant to a second position,thereby forming a portion of a load floor. A side trim panel is movedfrom a first position to a second position, thereby facilitatingmovement of another trim panel over the side trim panel. A garnish panelis moved from a first position to a second position, therebyfacilitating forward movement of a roof panel portion and a rear pillarattached to the roof panel portion. The roof panel portion and pillarare then moved forward. A shelf panel is moved adjacent a back panel,thereby substantially separating the contracted enclosed passenger spacefrom the open cargo area. The garnish panel is moved from the secondposition to a third position, thereby placing the vehicle body in thesecond body configuration.

The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a body shell forming a portion of thevehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front passenger side perspective view of the vehicle shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is partial fragmentary side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1in a first body configuration;

FIG. 5 is a partial fragmentary side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1in a second body configuration;

FIG. 6 is a partial fragmentary side view of a midgate and shelf panelused in the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is partial fragmentary side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1in the second body configuration, wherein the second and third rows ofseats are folded down to form an extended load floor;

FIG. 8 is a partial fragmentary side view of a tailgate and an attachedfloor panel;

FIG. 9 is a partial fragmentary side view of a second seat and moveableload panel shown in the upright and folded down positions;

FIG. 10 is a partial fragmentary perspective view of the vehiclepassenger compartment, wherein the second and third rows of seats arefolded down to form an extended load floor;

FIG. 11 is a partial fragmentary perspective view of a movable side trimpanel forming a portion of the vehicle body shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a movable side trim panel taken throughlines 12—12 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a partial fragmentary top plan view illustrating garnishpanels used on the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a first bodyconfiguration;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1, wherein thevehicle is transforming from a first body configuration to a second bodyconfiguration;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a second bodyconfiguration; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a thirdbody configuration, including a trunk panel which helps to create aclosed cargo area behind the passenger space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 having a flexible passenger vehicle body 12 inaccordance with the present invention. The vehicle body 12 includes abody shell 14, shown in an isolated view in FIG. 2. The body shell 14has front and rear openings 16, 18, and two pairs of transverselyopposed door openings 20, 22, 24, 26. As seen in FIG. 2, door openings20, 22 are a first pair of transversely opposed door openings, while thedoor openings 24, 26 are a second pair of transversely opposed dooropenings. The body shell 14, shown in FIG. 2, represents one of manydifferent body shells that can be used with the present invention. Forexample, the location and number of pillars and other structures may bedifferent for different body shells.

FIG. 3 shows a front panel, or windshield 28, closing the body shellfront opening 16. Two pairs of door panels 30, 32, 34, 36 close the bodyshell door openings 20, 22, 24, 26, respectively. The vehicle body 12also includes a roof panel 37 that includes a fixed portion 38 and amovable portion 40, see FIG. 1. Attached to the roof panel movableportion 40 are a pair of transversely opposed rear pillars, or D-pillars42, 44. The D-pillars 42, 44 extend generally downward from the roofpanel movable portion 40, and engage the body shell 14.

A back panel, or back light 46, is attached to the roof panel movableportion 40 and extends between the D-pillars 42, 44. Of course, a backpanel, such as the back light 46, need not be a translucent structure,but rather, may be made from an opaque material as desired. A pair ofopposing retractable rear side panels, in this embodiment rear sidewindows 48, 50 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1), are affixed tothe body shell 14 rearward the door panels 34, 36. A tailgate 52 isaffixed to the body shell 14, and is shown in a closed position FIG. 1.The tailgate 52, the rear side windows 48, 50, the roof panel movableportion 40, and the back light 46 collectively enclose the body shellrear opening 18 when the vehicle 10 is in a first body configuration,such as shown in FIG. 1.

The first body configuration may be characterized in a number ofdifferent ways. For example, FIG. 4 shows the vehicle 10 in the firstbody configuration, which resembles a wagon-style vehicle. Referringalso to FIGS. 1-3, it is seen that the windshield 28, the door panels30, 32, 34, 36, the roof panel 37, the back light 46, the tailgate 52and the rear side windows 48, 50 define a fully enclosed passenger spaceand cargo area, or first passenger compartment 54. It is clear from thefigures that in the first body configuration, the rear side windows 48,50 and the roof panel movable portion 40 are each in a first, orextended position.

As seen in FIG. 4, the first passenger compartment 54 includes threerows of seats 56, 58, 60. Each of the rows of seats 56, 58, 60 containsone or more vehicle seats. That is, the seats may be configured asindividual bucket seats, or as a single bench seat that traverses andentire row. Of course, a vehicle, such as the vehicle 10, need not havethree rows of seats in the first body configuration, but rather, mayhave only two rows or more than three rows of seats.

FIG. 5 shows the vehicle 10 in a second body configuration. Referringalso to FIGS. 1-3, it is seen that the front panel 28, the door panels30, 32, 34, 36, the roof panel 37 and the back light 46 define acontracted enclosed passenger space, or second passenger compartment 62.As seen in FIG. 5, the vehicle 10 in the second body configurationincludes the rear side windows 48, 50 and the roof panel movable portion40 in a second, or retracted position. The second body configurationdefines an open cargo area 64 behind the second passenger compartment62.

As seen in FIG. 5, the second passenger compartment 62 is smaller thanthe first passenger compartment 54, and contains only two rows of seats56, 58. The second row of seats 58 includes a first seat 66 which hasattached thereto a midgate 68 and a shelf panel 70. The midgate 68 andthe shelf panel 70 are configured to cooperate with the back light 46 toseparate the second passenger compartment 62 from the open cargo area64.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed side view of the midgate 68 and the shelf panel70. The midgate 68 and the shelf panel 70 are part of a package traythat may be attached to a single seat in the second row of seats 58.Alternatively, more than one set of midgates 68 and shelf panels 70 maybe attached to each seat in the second row of seats 58. As seen in FIG.6, the shelf panel 70 pivots from a first position adjacent the seat 66,to a second position adjacent the back light 46.

An actuator system 72 may include a motor 74 to automatically move theshelf panel 70 from the first position to the second position when thevehicle body 12 is transformed from the first body configuration to thesecond body configuration. In fact, the entire transformation betweendifferent body configurations can be accomplished automatically throughthe use of a programmable controller 75, schematically illustrated inFIG. 4. A controller, such as the controller 75, may be located in anyconvenient position within the vehicle 10. In fact, the controller 75may be integrated into a vehicle system controller, or may be a separatephysical device or combination of devices. The controller 75 isconfigured to facilitate the automatic transformation of the vehiclebody 12 between body configurations. The controller 75 may be configuredsuch that the push of a button on a key fob or a vehicle dashboard willfacilitate transformation between body configurations.

The open cargo area 64 includes a load floor 76 that may be partiallyformed by a seat back 78 of a second seat 80. As shown in FIG. 4, thesecond seat 80 is in a first, or upright, position for seating a vehicleoccupant. As shown in FIG. 5, the second seat 80 is in a second, orfolded-down, position forming a portion of the load floor 76. It isunderstood that the second seat 80 may be a single bench seat oradditional seats in a third row of seats 60 may similarly fold down toform a portion of the load floor 76.

The second body configuration, shown in FIG. 5, resembles a pickup-stylevehicle with its open cargo area 64. The vehicle 10 is also capable oftransforming into an extended-bed pickup-style vehicle. FIG. 7 shows thevehicle 10 having the tailgate 52 in an open position and the first seat66 in a second, or folded-down position, such that the tailgate 52 andthe first seat 66 each form a portion of the load floor 76. The vehicle10 contains a number of features to provide a load floor 76 that issubstantially level and continuous. For example, the tailgate 52 hasattached thereto a floor panel 82, see FIG. 8. When the tailgate 52 isin the closed position, the floor panel 82 is disposed beneath a mainportion 84 of the load floor 76. As the tailgate is pivoted into theopen position, the floor panel 82 assumes a substantially horizontalposition, such that it forms a portion of the load floor 76 between thetailgate 52 and the main portion 84 of the load floor 76.

Another way in which the load floor 76 is maintained substantially leveland continuous, is through the use of a movable load panel 86, shown inFIG. 9. The movable load panel 86 is attached to the seat back 78 of thesecond seat 80. When the second seat 80 is in a first, or uprightposition, the movable load panel 86 is in a retracted position, therebyfacilitating space conservation within the first passenger compartment54. When the vehicle body 12 is in the second body configuration, andthe seat 80 is folded down to form a portion of the load floor 76, theseat back 78 is below the level of the main portion 84 of the load floor76. As the seat 80 is folded down, the movable load panel 86automatically changes position from the retracted position to anextended position.

The movement of the movable load panel 86 between the retracted andextended positions is illustrated in FIG. 9. An actuator link 88controls the movement of the movable load panel 86 such that it retractswhen the second seat 80 is moved into the upright position. The actuatorlink 88 also causes the movable load panel 86 to extend when the secondseat 80 is folded down.

Having the movable load panel 86 attached to the seat back 78 obviatesthe need to have a thick, bulky seat back. This is because a seat back,such as the seat back 78, does not need to be level with the load floor76 when the seat 80 is in the folded-down position. Rather, the seatback 78 can be configured for passenger comfort while still conservingspace, since the movable load panel 86 will keep the load floor 76substantially level and continuous. Thus, with the second seat 80 in thefolded-down position, and the tailgate 52 in the open position, the loadfloor 76 is substantially level and continuous from the outmost edge ofthe tailgate 52 to the first row of seats 56. This configuration isshown in FIG. 10.

To facilitate transformation of the vehicle body 12 between the firstand second body configurations, movable side trim panels 90, 92 areemployed, see FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, when the vehicle body 12 is inthe first body configuration, the side trim panels 90, 92 are in a firstposition which corresponds to the movable roof portion 40 being in anextended position. Because the movable roof portion 40 includes sidetrim panels 94, 96 which move in conjunction with the roof panel movableportion 40, it is necessary for the movable side trim panels 90, 92 tohave a second position, whereby the side trim panels 94, 96 may slideover them.

For example, the movable side trim panel 90, shown in FIG. 1 in thefirst position, is substantially flush with the side trim panel 94attached to the roof panel movable portion 40. The same is true on thepassenger side of the vehicle with regard to the movable side trim panel92 and the side trim panel 96. FIG. 11 shows the movable side trim panel92 in the second position, whereby the side trim panel 96 can slide overtop of it. Thus, as the roof panel movable portion 40 changes betweenthe extended position and the retracted position, the side trim panels94, 96 substantially cover the movable side trim panels 90, 92 such thatthey blend with other trim elements on the vehicle body 12, see FIG. 16.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the movable side trim panel 90.Initially, the movable side trim panel 90 is in a first position 90A.When the vehicle body 12 is commanded to transform from the first bodyconfiguration to the second body configuration, an actuator, such aselectric motor 98, automatically moves the movable side trim panels 90,92 from the first position to the second position. Of course, otherdevices—e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic pistons—can be used to move themovable side trim panels 90, 92 from the first position to the secondposition. Once in the second position, the roof panel movable portion 40can move into the retracted position such that the side trim panels 94,96 move into place over the side trim panels 90, 92.

To further facilitate transformation of the vehicle body 12 between thefirst and second body configurations, a pair of garnish panels 100, 102are used, see FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows the garnish panels 100, 102 infirst positions 100A, 102A, second positions 100B, 102B, and thirdpositions 100C, 102C. The garnish panels 100,102 are in the firstposition 100A when the vehicle body 12 is in the first bodyconfiguration. To facilitate retraction of the rear side windows 48, 50the garnish panels 100, 102 move to the second positions 100B, 102B.After the rear side windows 48, 50 have been retracted the roof panelmovable portion moves to the retracted position, see FIGS. 15-16. Oncethe roof panel movable portion 40 has moved into the retracted position,the garnish panels 100, 102 move into the third positions 100C, 102C. Inthe third positions 100C, 102C, the garnish panels 100, 102 cover thetracks into which the rear side windows 48, 50 are retracted. Thegarnish panels 100, 102 then blend with other outboard trim to providean aesthetically pleasing appearance.

FIGS. 14-16 show the vehicle 10 as the vehicle body 12 undergoes thetransformation from the first body configuration, shown in FIG. 14, tothe second body configuration, shown in FIG. 16. Although only thedriver side is visible in these views, it is understood that thetransformation of components such as the rear side windows and garnishpanels occur symmetrically on both sides of the vehicle 10. FIG. 15shows the vehicle 10 as the body 12 starts to transform into the secondbody configuration. The rear side windows 48, 50 are retracted into thevehicle body 12. The third row of seats 60 is moved from the uprightposition to a folded-down position to form a portion of the load floor76, see also FIGS. 4 and 5.

After the third row of seats 60 is folded down, the side trim panels 90,92 then move inwardly to allow the side trim panels 94, 96 to coverthem. The garnish panels 100, 102 move from the first position to thesecond position, to facilitate movement of the D-pillars 42, 44. Theroof panel movable portion 40 then moves forward, thereby moving theD-pillars 42, 44 along with it. As seen in FIG. 14, when the vehiclebody 12 is in the first body configuration, the D-pillar 42 is separatedfrom a C-pillar 105 by the rear side window 48. After the roof panelmovable portion 40 moves to the retracted position, the D-pillar 42 isadjacent the C-pillar 105, which provides an aesthetically pleasingappearance. Of course, the D-pillar 44 similarly moves adjacent a secondC-pillar on the passenger side of the vehicle 10.

The shelf panel 70 is then moved adjacent the back light 46 to form thesecond passenger compartment 62, see FIGS. 4 and 5. Finally, the garnishpanels 100, 102 are moved to the third position, thereby placing thevehicle body 12 in the second body configuration. Of course, these stepsmay take place in a different order depending on the specificconfiguration of a vehicle, such as the vehicle 10. Moreover, additionalsteps, or fewer steps, may be used to transform a vehicle body betweenfirst and second body configurations.

As readily seen in FIG. 16, when the vehicle body 12 is in the secondbody configuration, its profile resembles that of a four door sedan. Inorder to complete the transformation from a wagon-style vehicle to asedan, the transformable vehicle 10 includes a third body configuration,illustrated in FIG. 17. The third body configuration includes a trunkpanel 106 that is configured to cooperate with the tailgate 52 topartially define a closed cargo area 108 behind the second passengercompartment 62. The trunk panel 106 may be a tonneau cover that ismanually installed after the vehicle body 12 transforms from the firstbody configuration to the second body configuration. Alternatively, thetrunk panel 106 may be configured to automatically move into place upona command from a vehicle occupant. The trunk panel 106 may be attachedto the tailgate 52 or even a portion of one of the vehicle seats. Thus,in the third body configuration, the vehicle 10 has assumed not only theprofile of a four door sedan, but also the characteristics, including anenclosed trunk.

While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described indetail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates willrecognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing theinvention as defined by the following claims.

1. A vehicle, comprising: a transformable vehicle body including firstand second opposing door panels, a roof panel, including a fixed portionand a movable portion, a back panel attached to the roof panel movableportion, and first and second retractable rear side panels disposedrearward the door panels, the transformable vehicle body having at leasta first body configuration and a second body configuration, the firstbody configuration including the retractable rear side panels and theroof panel movable portion each in an extended position, the roof panelmovable portion and the roof panel fixed portion being disposed in agenerally side-by-side relationship when the roof panel movable portionis in its extended position, the first body configuration at leastpartially defining a first passenger compartment, the second bodyconfiguration including the retractable rear side panels and the roofpanel movable portion each in a retracted position, the roof panelmovable portion and the roof panel fixed portion being disposed in agenerally over-under relationship when the roof panel movable portion isin its retracted position, the second body configuration at leastpartially defining a second passenger compartment and an open cargoarea, the second passenger compartment being smaller than the firstpassenger compartment and at least partially separated from the opencargo area by the back panel.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a controller configured to facilitate automatictransformation of the vehicle body between different bodyconfigurations.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a firstseat having a midgate and a shelf panel attached thereto, the midgateand the shelf panel being configured to cooperate with the back panel toat least partially separate the second passenger compartment from theopen cargo area.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retractable rearside panels include rear side windows, the rear side windows beingretractable into the vehicle body.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a movable side trim panel disposed adjacent the roof panel,the movable side trim panel being movable between a first position and asecond position, the second position facilitating transformation of thevehicle body from the first body configuration to the second bodyconfiguration.
 6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a garnishpanel, the garnish panel being in a first position when the vehicle bodyis in the first body configuration and a third position when the vehiclebody is in the second body configuration, the garnish panel furtherbeing movable to a second position, thereby facilitating transformationof the vehicle body between the first body configuration and the secondbody configuration.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the firstpassenger compartment includes three rows of seats disposed therein, andthe second passenger compartment includes only two rows of seatsdisposed therein, each row of seats including at least one seat.
 8. Thevehicle of claim 1, further comprising a first pillar attached to theroof panel movable portion and a second pillar attached to the roofpanel fixed portion, the first and second pillars having one of theretractable rear side panels disposed therebetween in the first bodyconfiguration, and the first and second pillars being adjacent to eachother in the second body configuration.
 9. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising a tailgate having an open position and a closedposition, the tailgate in the closed position being configured tocooperate with the back panel in the first body configuration topartially define the first passenger compartment, the tailgate beingfurther configured to partially define the open cargo area in the secondbody configuration.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising atrunk panel configured to cooperate with the tailgate in a third bodyconfiguration, thereby partially defining a closed cargo area behind thecontracted enclosed passenger space.
 11. The vehicle of claim 9, whereinthe open cargo area includes a load floor, and wherein the tailgate inthe open position forms a portion of the load floor.
 12. The vehicle ofclaim 11, further comprising a floor panel pivotally attached to thetailgate, the floor panel being configured to form a portion of the loadfloor between the tailgate and a main portion of the load floor when thetailgate is in the open position.
 13. The vehicle of claim 11, furthercomprising a seat, the seat having a first position for seating avehicle occupant, and a second position for forming a portion of theload floor.
 14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the seat includes aseat back and a movable load panel attached to the seat back, themovable load panel having a retracted position for facilitating spaceconservation when the seat is in the first position, and an extendedposition whereby the movable load panel forms a portion of the loadfloor when the seat is in the second position.
 15. A method oftransforming a vehicle body from a first body configuration to at leastone other body configuration, the first body configuration including afully enclosed passenger space and cargo area, and a second bodyconfiguration including a contracted enclosed passenger space and anopen cargo area, the method comprising: retracting first and second rearside portions; moving a seat from a first position for seating a vehicleoccupant to a second position, thereby forming a portion of a loadfloor; moving a side trim panel from a first position to a secondposition, thereby facilitating movement of another trim panel over theside trim panel; moving a garnish panel from a first position to asecond position, thereby facilitating forward movement of a roof panelportion and a rear pillar attached to the roof panel portion; moving theroof panel portion and pillar forward; moving a shelf panel adjacent aback panel, thereby substantially separating the contracted enclosedpassenger space from the open cargo area; and moving the garnish panelfrom the second position to a third position, thereby placing thevehicle body in the second body configuration.
 16. The method of claim15, further comprising covering a portion of the open cargo area with atrunk panel, thereby forming a closed cargo area behind the contractedenclosed passenger space in a third body configuration.
 17. A vehicle,comprising: a transformable vehicle body including first and secondopposing door panels, a roof panel, including a fixed portion and amovable portion, a back panel attached to the roof panel movableportion, and first and second retractable rear side panels disposedrearward the door panels, the transformable vehicle body having at leasta first body configuration and a second body configuration, the firstbody configuration including the retractable rear side panels and theroof panel movable portion each in an extended position, the first bodyconfiguration at least partially defining a first passenger compartment,the second body configuration including the retractable rear side panelsand the roof panel movable portion each in a retracted position, thesecond body configuration at least partially defining a second passengercompartment and an open cargo area, the second passenger compartmentbeing smaller than the first passenger compartment and at leastpartially separated from the open cargo area by the back panel; and acontroller configured to facilitate automatic transformation of thevehicle body between different body configurations.
 18. A vehicle,comprising: a transformable vehicle body including first and secondopposing door panels, a roof panel, including a fixed portion and amovable portion, a back panel attached to the roof panel movableportion, and first and second retractable rear side panels disposedrearward the door panels, the transformable vehicle body having at leasta first body configuration and a second body configuration, the firstbody configuration including the retractable rear side panels and theroof panel movable portion each in an extended position, the first bodyconfiguration at least partially defining a first passenger compartmentincluding three rows of seats disposed therein, each row of seatsincluding at least one seat, the second body configuration including theretractable rear side panels and the roof panel movable portion each ina retracted position, the second body configuration at least partiallydefining a second passenger compartment and an open cargo area, thesecond passenger compartment being smaller than the first passengercompartment and at least partially separated from the open cargo area bythe back panel, the second passenger compartment including only two rowsof seats disposed therein, each row of seats including at least oneseat.
 19. A vehicle, comprising: a transformable vehicle body includingfirst and second opposing door panels, a roof panel, including a fixedportion and a movable portion, a back panel attached to the roof panelmovable portion, and first and second retractable rear side panelsdisposed rearward the door panels, the transformable vehicle body havingat least a first body configuration and a second body configuration, thefirst body configuration including the retractable rear side panels andthe roof panel movable portion each in an extended position, the firstbody configuration at least partially defining a first passengercompartment, the second body configuration including the retractablerear side panels and the roof panel movable portion each in a retractedposition, the second body configuration at least partially defining asecond passenger compartment and an open cargo area, the secondpassenger compartment being smaller than the first passenger compartmentand at least partially separated from the open cargo area by the backpanel; a first pillar attached to the roof panel movable portion; and asecond pillar attached to the roof panel fixed portion, the first andsecond pillars having one of the retractable rear side panels disposedtherebetween in the first body configuration, and the first and secondpillars being adjacent to each other in the second body configuration.20. A flexible passenger vehicle body capable of being transformed intoat least two different classes of vehicle styles, comprising: a bodyshell having front and rear openings and at least one pair oftransversely opposed door openings; a front panel closing the body shellfront opening; at least one pair of door panels closing the body shelldoor openings; a roof panel including a fixed portion and a movableportion, the movable portion having attached thereto a pair oftransversely opposed rear pillars extending generally downward therefromto engage the body shell; a back panel coupled to the roof panel movableportion and extending between the rear pillars; a pair of opposingretractable rear side panels affixed to the body shell behind the doorpanels; a tailgate affixed to the body shell, the tailgate, theretractable rear side panels, the roof panel movable portion and theback panel collectively enclosing the body shell rear opening when thevehicle is in a first body configuration, the front panel, door panels,roof panel, back panel, tailgate and retractable rear side panelsdefining a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area within the bodyshell in the first body configuration when the roof panel movableportion is in a first position, the front panel, door panels, roof paneland back panel defining a contracted enclosed passenger space in asecond body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in asecond position, thereby creating an open cargo area behind thecontracted enclosed passenger space; and a midgate and shelf panel whichcooperate with the back panel and the body shell to separate thecontracted enclosed passenger space from the open cargo area.
 21. Thevehicle body of claim 20, further comprising a trunk panel configured tocooperate with the tailgate and the body shell in a third bodyconfiguration, thereby creating a closed cargo area behind thecontracted enclosed passenger space.
 22. The vehicle body of claim 20,wherein the retractable rear side panels include rear side windows, therear side windows being retractable into the body shell.
 23. The vehiclebody of claim 20, further comprising a movable side trim panel disposedadjacent the roof panel, the movable side trim panel being movablebetween a first position and a second position, the second positionfacilitating transformation of the vehicle body from the first bodyconfiguration to the second body configuration.
 24. The vehicle body ofclaim 20, further comprising a garnish panel, the garnish panel being ina first position when the vehicle body is in the first bodyconfiguration and a third position when the vehicle body is in thesecond body configuration, the garnish panel further being movable to asecond position, thereby facilitating transformation of the vehicle bodybetween the first body configuration and the second body configuration.25. The vehicle body of claim 20, wherein the open cargo area includes aload floor, and wherein the tailgate in an open position forms a portionof the load floor.
 26. The vehicle body of claim 25, further comprisinga floor panel pivotally attached to the tailgate, the floor panel beingconfigured to form a portion of the load floor between the tailgate anda main portion of the load floor when the tailgate is in the openposition.
 27. A flexible passenger vehicle body capable of beingtransformed into at least two different classes of vehicle styles,comprising: a body shell having front and rear openings and at least onepair of transversely opposed door openings; a front panel closing thebody shell front opening; at least one pair of door panels closing thebody shell door openings; a roof panel including a fixed portion and amovable portion, the movable portion having attached thereto a pair oftransversely opposed rear pillars extending generally downward therefromto engage the body shell; a back panel coupled to the roof panel movableportion and extending between the rear pillars; a pair of opposingretractable rear side panels affixed to the body shell behind the doorpanels; a tailgate affixed to the body shell, the tailgate, theretractable rear side panels the roof panel movable portion and the backpanel collectively enclosing the body shell rear opening when thevehicle is in a first body configuration, the front panel, door panels,roof panel, back panel, tailgate and retractable rear side panelsdefining a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area within the bodyshell in the first body configuration when the roof panel movableportion is in a first position, the front panel, door panels, roof paneland back panel defining a contracted enclosed passenger space in asecond body configuration when the roof panel movable portion is in asecond position, thereby creating an open cargo area behind thecontracted enclosed passenger space, the open cargo area including aload floor, and wherein the tailgate in an open position forms a portionof the load floor; and a floor panel pivotally attached to the tailgate,the floor panel being configured to form a portion of the load floorbetween the tailgate and a main portion of the load floor when thetailgate is in the open position.
 28. The vehicle body of claim 27,further comprising a trunk panel configured to cooperate with thetailgate and the body shell in a third body configuration, therebycreating a closed cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passengerspace.
 29. The vehicle body of claim 27, wherein the retractable rearside panels include rear side windows, the rear side windows beingretractable into the body shell.
 30. The vehicle body of claim 27,further comprising a movable side trim panel disposed adjacent the roofpanel, the movable side trim panel being movable between a firstposition and a second position, the second position facilitatingtransformation of the vehicle body from the first body configuration tothe second body configuration.
 31. The vehicle body of claim 27, furthercomprising a garnish panel, the garnish panel being in a first positionwhen the vehicle body is in the first body configuration and a thirdposition when the vehicle body is in the second body configuration, thegarnish panel further being movable to a second position, therebyfacilitating transformation of the vehicle body between the first bodyconfiguration and the second body configuration.